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When music gave a healing touch
Actor and director Balachandra Menon interacts with children at the Regional Cancer Centre on Monday.
LAUGHTER AND cheer are not things that one associates with hospital corridors. But on Monday evening, almost all those who stepped out of the Regional Cancer Centre had a smile on their faces and a tune on their lips.
Balachandra Menon had kept his word. When he began his music programme, the director-actor had promised that none would leave the room without forgetting their worries. Two hours later, there were few who did not wish that the music would go on and on.
Music therapy
`Sangeetha Santhvanam' was organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust at the RCC for the entertainment of cancer patients and to let them experience the healing power of music. The programme was led by Menon and a dozen other artistes, many of whom were visibly moved by the sight of so many cancer-afflicted children — from tiny tots to teenagers — around them.
Menon, in his inimitable style, had the audience laughing with him in no time. "This is not the time to pick your brains on whether you've tethered your cow properly at home. Give yourself wholly to the power of music and forget about the rest," he told them.
Keeping oneself in good spirits is the only way to beat the pain and anguish of a villain like cancer, he said. Over 20 songs were sung by Menon and his troupe, which included Ragesh Brahmanandan, M.S. Naseem, Manjari, Pramila, Easwari Panicker and Dr. Suresh Dutt.
The first song was a lilting song from the film Swapnam, Sourayoodhathil vidarnoru... , the music for which was composed by Salil Choudhary. "The song is for these children here, and for their dreams of a happy tomorrow," Menon said.
Naseem came next with Madhurikkum ormakale..., a song which he said, used to give much solace to its original singer, C.O. Anto, while he lay in the hospital, fighting cancer.
Manjalayil..., Alliyambal kadavil... , Pularkaalasundara swapnamayi..., Maanathe kaayalil..., Elam manjin kulir... and Chandan sa badan... were some of the other songs sung. And singing with them was Amavaasi, an orphan from Kannur, who got a new lease of life thanks to the Sathya Sai Trust. The programme was officially inaugurated by the Tourism Minister, K.C. Venugopal.
This is the second in the series of music programmes that the Trust is planning to organise at the RCC, as part of their project to use music as therapy for cancer patients.
By C. Maya
Photo: S. Mahinsha
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